Beaumont’s Kamari Ross,(#4), tackles Western’s Caine Savage, (#2) as he scores a touchdown during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

Beaumont’s Elijah East, (#9), sacks Western quarterback Anthony Munoz,(#10), for a loss, during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

Beaumont quarterback Devin Dillard, (#1), throws a pass over the middleof the field against Western, during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

Beaumont’s Kamari Ross,(#4), tackles Western’s Caine Savage, (#2) as he scores a touchdown during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

Western’s Anthony Munoz, (#10), throws a pass over Beaumont’s Chase Furtado, (#57), during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

Beaumont’s Sadiq Randolph, (#23), runs the back for a long gain, ahead of Western’s Cassius Savage, (#1), during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

Beaumont’s Billye Johnson, (#33), is stiff armed by Western’s Rahsaan Hester,(#21), during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

Western tight end James Mendoza,(#5), prevents Beaumont’s Mark Vander Woude(#25), from intercepting the ball during the first half of Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 11 semifinal football game at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Ca., November 16, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)

BEAUMONT – There were two wild celebrations, just minutes apart. And, with a season on the line for Beaumont and Western, only the second one mattered.

In a suitably wild climax to a wild game Friday, Beaumont’s biggest play of the night was trumped by Western’s. Jacob Domino tackled Beaumont quarterback Devin Dillard for a safety with 1:37 remaining to give the Pioneers a 35-34 victory in a Division 11 semifinal.

Western (11-2) advanced to its first championship game since 2004 and will play host to Peninsula next week.

For Beaumont (8-5), it was a cruel end to a successful initial season under coach Jeff Steinberg. The Cougars were tantalizingly close to reaching the school’s first final since 1967 when Kamari Ross made a remarkably athletic interception, reaching high for an end zone-bound pass.

Ross landed at the 2 and the Cougars had 1:41 to kill to protect a one-point lead. On the first play, however, Western brought a heavy blitz, and Domino flashed in to reach Dillard deep in the end zone, giving him no chance to escape.

“We thought we had a play called that would at least give us some room,” Steinberg said.

In this wild game, even that wasn’t the last word. Beaumont executed a perfect onside kick, as Peter Joseph picked it out of midair just as it reached 10 yards.

That, however, would be the last thing for Beaumont to celebrate, as the ensuing drive went nowhere. A short run, two incompletions and a desperate fourth-down heave that was intercepted sealed the decision.

In a game that saw both teams top 500 yards produced, the outcome was ultimately decided by big defensive stands.

Before the decisive safety, Western made Beaumont settle for field goals following first downs at the Western 2 and the Western 4. The second field goal gave the Cougars a 34-33 lead with 3:45 remaining.

“We left some points on the board,” Steinberg said. “That cost us. But it was a great game.”

Beaumont struggled early to contain Western’s fast-paced passing game. Western quarterback Anthony Munoz threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns in the first half on the way to a 450-yard performance. By halftime, Caine Savage had 10 catches for 136 yards and he finished with 212 yards and three touchdowns.

“He’s got great speed and runs great routes,” Steinberg said. “Any time you have someone who can go vertical like that, it opens everything underneath.”

Dillard threw for 288 yards and three scores and Rawleigh Holmes rushed for 105 yards and a score.

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